Glove manufacturing

ABSTRACT

A manufacturing process and apparatus for making surgeon&#39;&#39; gloves utilizing a plurality of pallets, each pallet with a plurality of glove forms thereon, moving sequentially through a plurality of stations which form a closed loop. The pallets and glove forms are removably mounted to facilitate substitution of other pallets with other sizes of forms.

United States Patent Gould et a1.

[ GLOVE MANUFACTURING [72] Inventors: Joseph C. Gould, Route 2, Box2510; Robert L. Hayes, Francis St., Rt. 2, both of Honea Path, SC. 29654[22] Filed: Dec. 2, 1970 [21] Appl. N0.: 94,482

[52] US. Cl. ..425/93, 425/274, 264/304 [51] Int. Cl. .......B29h 3/044,B29c 13/04 [58] Field of Search ..18/2 K,4R,4B,4C,4P, 18/5 A, 24, 41;264/299, 304; 425/93, 274

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,128,827 8/1938 Killian..;..18/2 K UX 2,244,591 6/1941 Youngs et a1. ..18/2 K X 2,346,485 4/1944l-lanne ..18/2 K 51 Sept. 26, 1972 2,353,256 7/1944 Maywald, Jr ..18/2 KX 2,609,094 9/1952 Fry ...18/2 K UX 3,060,057 10/1962 Johnson ..18/24 UX3,278,991 10/1966 Peternell et al ..18/24 3,320,638 5/1967 Seifried eta1 ..18/24 3,431,596 3/1969 Rodrigues et a1 ..18/24 X PrimaryExaminerRobert L. Spicer, Jr. Alt0rney-Joseph Januszkiewicz and W. A.Shira, Jr.

[ ABSTRACT A manufacturing process and apparatus for making surgeongloves utilizing a plurality of pallets, each pallet with a plurality ofglove forms thereon, moving sequentially through a plurality of stationswhich form a closed loop. The pallets and glove forms are removablymounted to facilitate substitution of other pallets with other sizes offorms.

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PATENTEUSEPZB I972 3,694.1 1 7 sum mm 15 o 5 1o 15 2o 3 35 INDEX RibCLEANING LUBE DIP DRYING COAG. DIP up LATEX DIP U 3 DIP U WASHING STRANSFER ELEVATOR TRANSFER DRY& CURE.

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PATENTEU E 1972 3,694.1 17

' SHEET lSUF FIQBGID 4O 5O 6O 7O '75 8O E9 Engage 1d DL Disengage F0Forward PM Return F Rotate (Swing) C S Conveyor Stopped CR ConveyorRunning R R Raise and Rotate SS Strap in Stripping Station INVENTORSJOSEPH C.GOULD BY ROBERT L.HAYES GLOVE MANUFACTURING BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION A This invention relates to the manufacture of dipped rubbergoods and more particularly to a new and improved method and apparatusfor economically manufacturing latex rubber surgeons gloves.

I-Ieretofore in the manufacture of rubber dipped articles, such as latexrubber surgeons glovesjconsiderable hand operations were essential totheir manufacture thereby making the unit cost high. Although certainimprovements were made in some areas of the handling of the glove forms,the improvements in manufacturing were directed principally to themanual manipulation of a single group of mandrels through severaloperations. Such action required complex motions with intricatemechanisms and related parts, without materially improving output andcost. Those improvements directed to multiple forms on a single palletrequired extensive manual manipulative steps which increased the costper unit produced.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a new and improved methodand apparatus which materially increases the production and quality oflatex dipped products while reducing the production costs. Further, theaccuracy of reproducibility has been enhanced by this invention. Thepallets are automatically manipulated over the full closed path of themanufacturing operation such that the finished glove is lubricated onthe inside as well as the outside without requiring an inversion of theglove or requiring a separate operation of dusting the gloves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed toa manufacturing process and apparatus which provides for a plurality ofstations (preparation or treatment) cooperative with a latex dip stationfor making latex gloves. The stations are interconnected automaticallysuch that a plurality of pallets with straps 'and glove forms thereonare manipulated at the stations and are continually moved automaticallyand sequentially from one station to the other. Each pallet supports aplurality of removable straps and glove forms to facilitate the changingof sIzes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1a and lb are schematicsideelevational views of the glove manufacturing apparatus, which whenIongitudinally aligned illustrate the complete closed flow path of thepallets in the installation;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the forward portion ofthe glove manufacturing apparatus showing the indexer means for thepallets;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of that portion of theapparatus adjoining the indexer means which manipulates the palletsthrough the cleaning operations;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of that portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3which adjoins the indexer means for moving the pallets into and out ofcleaning and rinsing tanks;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the rearward portion of the glovemanufacturing apparatus showing a pallet with gloveforms thereon;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the glove manufacturing apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a transfer means operating on theupper portion of the glove manufacturing apparatus between twoconveyors;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the transfer means shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of a guide rail being supported by a truckand bracket;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the guide rail and truck taken online 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged view of an end portion of a pallet asguided by the guide rails and the chain taken along lines 11-11 of FIG.2;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a locking means forthe pallet;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the locking meansshown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a locking means for a transfermeans shown in the locked position;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the locking means shown in FIG.14 in the unlocked position;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the locking means for the transfer means shownin FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the locking means shown in FIG. 14in the unlocked position;

FIG. .18 is a side elevational view of the locking means shown in FIG.15 in the locked position;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary cross-sectional end view of a portion of apallet and a strap taken on line l919 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a portion of a palletand strap;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of a pallet and strap with portionsbroken away, showing the pallet riding in the guide tracks;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of one of the pallets, with portionsbroken away, showing straps and glove form mounted thereon;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a latex dip tank;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the latex dip tank shown in FIG.23;

FIG. 25 is a schematic drawing of the controls for the latex diptank;and

FIG. 26a and 26b in longitudinal alignment is a timing chart of theglove making apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, and more particularly toFIG. 22, there is shown a portable articulated pallet 10 which is usedto handle, store and manipulate a plurality of glove forms along anapparatus to be described. Each pallet consists of a plurality ofelongated tubular channel members 11 arranged in parallel rows with eachmember having a longitudinal center line. Each tubular channel member11, see FIG. 19, has a pair of laterally extending projections 12 thatextend along the respective upper side edges thereof for the full lengthof the pallet. A bracket 13 is suitably secured to the respective sideends thereof to facilitate the joining of the elongated tubular members11 into a single unitary pallet. Each bracket 13 has a pair of bores atthe respective ends thereof such that adjacent brackets have portionsoverlapping with their bores aligned for receiving pivot means 14consisting of an axle l5 and a ment of a strap 20 to be described and aspring clip 18 (FIG. 21) suitably secured to the lower side surfaceportion at the center of each channel member 11 for a purpose to bedescribed.

A generally U-shaped strap member 20 with a' projection 22 on the outeredge portions of the respective leg members is adapted to receive theprojections 12 of the tubular channel member 11, such that the strapmembers 20 are adapted to abuttingly engage the plate 17 and the clip18. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, there are five channel members 11, witheach channel member 11 receiving two straps 20 thereby providing strapsper pallet. Each strap member has secured tion 34 FIG. lb) has areceiving end 38 for a purpose to be described. An endless conveyormeans 39 traverses a portion of the length of the forwardly disposedpair of tracks 34 and travels the full length of and parallel to therails of rearwardly' disposed tracks 35. I

A transfer means, designated as 40, operates to con-' vey pallets 10from the endless conveyor 39 to an endless-conveyor 41, which conveyor41 has one end located on the forwardly disposed portion of tracks 34 ofthe upper guide section'3l 'and extends for the full section 32.Transfer means 40 has suitable vertically thereto, as by a conventionalbolt and nut arrangement,

a plurality of glove forms or mandrels 23. In the example shown thereare 12 mandrels or glove forms on each strap. To insure that the straps20. are firmly secured to the pallet each tubular member 11 has a pairof earns 24 mounted for pivotal movement on the respective end portions.Spring means 25 biases such cams 24 into engagement with the lowersurface of the strap members and maintains such strap members 20 firmlysecured to the pallet for movement therewith.

The upper surface of the cams 24 are eccentrically contoured, as at 26,to insure a positive locking engagement with the respective straps 20.

The glove making apparatus comprises a suitable 1 base or support meanshaving vertically extending studs and cross braces, designated generallyas in FIG. 1a.

Support means 30 has suitably mounted thereon guide means consisting ofan upper guide section 3l and a lower guide section 32. Upper guidesection 31 has a forwardly disposed pair of tracks that are generally C-upper respective side surfaces of the support means 30, such that therespective open portions face each other providing tracks for themovement of the respective side wheels 16 of the pallets, whicharrangement is.

shown generally in FIGS. 8, l3 and 22. Located on the respective sideedges in alignment with respective forwardly disposed tracks 34 arerearwardly disposed tracks 35 FIGS. 1a and lb) that are similarlyC-shaped 33 of, the guidemeans connects the respective for-- wardlydisposed pairs of tracks '34 with the forwardly disposed tracks36 of thelower section 32, wherein such bridging section 33 has curvilinearportions to facilitate movement of a pallet from the upper guide section31 to the lower guide section 32. The rearwardly disposed pair of rails35 of the upper guide secshaped, designated 34 (FIG. 8), which extendalong the v extending brackets 42 (FIG. 7) which support the forwardlydisposed tracks 34 and a pair of spaced upper guideways 43. Suitablecross braces, as shown in FIG. 8, support a pneumatic cylinder 44 whichhas its piston rod 45 suitably connected to a bracket 46, which bracket46 is connected to a carriage 47. Carriage 47 has a plurality of rollers48 which are received by the guideways 43 to facilitate thereciprocation of carriage 47 thereon. Carriage 47 has a plurality ofdownwardly extending brackets 49 which have pneumatic cylinders 50secured thereto. The respective rod ends of cylinders 50 have dogs 51secured thereto which dogs have U-shaped recesses therein forfrictionally engaging the axles 15 of the respective pallets for movingsuch pallets from the conveyor 39 to the conveyor 41 in a manner to bedescribed. 4

Conveyor 41 has a plurality of sprockets 52 mounted on both sides of thesupporting structure 30. However, only the one side is shown in FIGS.la, 1b, 2, 7 and 11. The respective sprockets 52 guide spaced drivechains, designated generally as 54 which ride on U-shaped guideways55(FIG. 11) that are substantially in sideby-side alignment and parallelto the guide rails of the bridging section 33. Certain links for thedrive chains 54 have brackets 56 to which longitudinally spaced crossbraces 57 are joined to thus assure alignment of placement of the pallet10 after it passes over such dog 60. The lowermost sprocket of theconveyor 41,

designated as 53 in FIG. 2, is of a diameter such that the pallets 10passing thereover are deflected at their pivots to an arcuateconfiguration. This disposes the respective outer end portions of "therows of glove forms away from each other't'o permit the strippingof thegloves therefrom, as shown in FIG.*2.

An indexing means, located on the lowerf'forward' portion of the supportmeans (FIGS. la and 2), in-

cludes a pair of spaced motors 61 and 62; Motor 62 is connected by apair of crank'arms 63 and 64 to the 'intermediate portion of a lever 65."Lever 65 has one end pivotally connected to a vertical support 67, ofsupport means 30, and its other end connected to a truck 68, which truck68 has spaced rollers 69 at the respective end portions thereof. In asimilar manner a plurality of other levers (FIGS. la, b, and 3) are eachpivotally connected to individual trucks 68. The trucks 68 areinterconnected by rods 70 which assures simultaneous movement of thetrucks 68 for a purpose to be described. Journaled for movement on therespective rollers 69 of each truck 68 is a U-shaped rail 71 FIG. 10),which rail 71 has downwardly depending brackets 72 with each brackethaving a recess 73 on its lower end. The recesses 73 are adapted toengage the axles 15 of pallets 10 to assure simultaneous movement of therespective pallets in a manner that will be described. a

As viewed in FIGS. la'and 2, the rearward end portion of rail 71 ispivotally secured to one end of a lever 75. The other end of lever 75 ispivotally secured to one end of crank arm 77. The other end of crank arm77 is pivotally secured to a bearing block 78 which is mounted on asupport channel 79. Crank arm 77 has its intermediate portion pivotallyconnected to one end of a pitman arm 80 which in turn is driven by themotor 61 through crank arm 81. Rotation of crank arm 81 operates toreciprocate the rail means 71 along a linear path, as viewed in FIGS. 2and 3, which is first in a leftward direction and thence in a rightwarddirection.

Suitably mounted on the support means 30 are a plurality of L-shapedlocking means 85. Each locking means 85 (FIGS. 12 and 13) has one armmember 86 extending upwardly and outwardly with a roller 87 journaledthereon in alignment with the rail 71 for rolling engagement therewithto thereby pivot the L- shaped member locking means 85 about pivot means88, as seen in FIG. 12. The other armmember 89 of the locking means 85has a recessed portion 90 which is adapted to engage the axle 15 of apallet 10 to secure such pallet against linear movement. When the rail71 is in a lowered position as shown in FIG. 12, it depresses roller 87,which in turn pivots thelocking means 85 about pivot means 88 in aclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 12, thereby unlocking the palletto permit the movement of the pallets in a manner to be described. Acoil spring 91 is secured to the locking means 85 to bias such lockingmeans in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 12 which assuresthe locking of the pallet by the locking means 85 upon movement of rail71 in an upward direction away from the locking means 85.

A transfer conveyor or elevator is located on the rearwardmost portionof the glove makingmachine (as shown in FIGS. 1b, 5 and 6). Extendingvertically are a Mounted on the upper cross brace 104 is a variablespeed motor whose output is connected by a shaft 116 with a pair ofspaced right angle drives 117 to a pair of rods 118 which, in turn, areconnected to right angle drives 119. The output of each right angledrive 119 is connected via an axle 120 to a track section 121. Hence,actuation of motor 115 rotates rods 118 and axle 120 which in turnrotate tracks 121. Each track 121 is C-shaped and in alignment withrearwardly disposed tracks 37.

The tracks 121 are located on both sides of the apparatus as shown inFIG. 6; however, only one side will be described. Each track 121 has anupwardly disposed longitudinally extending bracket 122 (FIGS. 14 through18). The lower left end portion of the FIG. 6 depicts broadly thelocking means which is shown more clearly in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18.Bracket 122 has a pair of bosses 125 which pivotally support anelongated bracket 126 as by a pair of levers 127 and 128. Bracket 126has a plurality of downwardly extending projections 130 which areadapted to abuttingly engage the axles 15 of a pallet. Brackets 122 and126, respectively, have laterally extending projections 131 and 132 inlongitudinal alignment, as best seen in FIG. 16. One end of a rod 133 issecured to lateral projection 132, while the other end of rod 133 isslidingly received by the lateral projection 131. A compression spring135 encompasses rod 133 and operates between projections 131 and 132,such as to bias bracket 126 rightwardly as shown in FIG. 17 into lockingposition as shown in FIG. 18 whereby the projections 130 engage therespective axles 15. Pivotally secured as at 136 to an upwardlyextending boss 137 (FIG. 16) of bracket 122 is a cam locking member 138.Cam locking member 138 has a semi-arcuately shaped recess 140 at itsoutermost end portion and an arcuately shaped recess 141 at itsintermediate portion whereby recess 140 is adapted to frictionallyengage and encompass a portion of axle 15 to secure and prevent thepallet from movement relative to bracket 122 while arcuatelyshapedrecess 141 facilitates the locking and unlocking in a manner to bedescribed. A pin 142 is journaled on the outermost end portion 'ofbracket 126 and rides in the arcuately shaped recess 141 to camthe'locking member 138 upwardly out of engagement with the axle 15 asshown in FIG. 17 or into engagement with the axle 15 as shown in FIG.18. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, mounted on tracks 37, closely adjacentto the pair' of vertically spaced columns 101 with suitable guide rails102 thereon. Elevator 100 has a pair of vertically extending channelmembers 103 connected by suitable cross braces 104. Bosses 105 securedto the respective side portions of channel member 103 have a centralthreaded bore therein and rollers 106 which frictionally engage therails 102 to maintain the alignment. Each column 101 has a suitable boss107 mounted on the lower portion thereon for supporting for rotation athreaded rod 108 which is threadedly received by a threaded bore ofbossl05. The rotation of threaded rods 108 controls the verticalreciprocal movement of the channel members 103 and cross braces 104 onthe guide rails 102. The upper end portion of each threaded rod 108 isconnected to a right angle drive means 109 which in turn is connectedvia rod 110 to the output of variable speed motor 111.

transfer conveyor, is an unlocking means comprising the bracket 151which is secured to the guide rail having mounted thereon a cylinder 152which has a piston 153 movably mounted therein with its rod 154extending outwardly therefrom and in alignment with the pivotal bracket126. Rod 154 is adjustably mounted on the piston rod to facilitatelocking and unlocking of the cam member 138 with respect to the axle 15.Pressurization of the head end of cylinder 150 extends the rod 154 toengage bracket 126 which then moves bracket l26 leftward, as seen inFIG. 18, against the action of spring 135, whereby pin 142 moves, as bya pivoting action, the locking member 138 upwardly Y away from the axle15 of the pallet. Conversely, upon pressurization of the rod end ofcylinder 152, the reverse occurs'with spring 135 returning the bracket126 rightwardly so that pin 142 cams the lock-ing member downwardly intolocking engagement with the axle 15.

Located beneath the forward portion of guide rails 71 are a plurality oftanks A, B, C, D, E, and F. Tank A contains a suitable inlet pipe anddrain to provide forsupply of a liquid to the tank for a pre-wetting ofthe glove forms. Tank B is an ultra-sonic cleaning tank for suitablycleaning of the glove forms. Tank C is a rinse tank which may containeither cold or hotwater. Tank- D contains the hot rinse water while tankE contains the cold rinse water. Tank F contains a glove lubricant inliquid form, which on contacting the glove forms deposits a thin layerof lubricant thereon.

As shown in FIG. 3, tracks 36 are sectioned as at 36a and 36b to providea sectioned track 36A. Track section 36A along with the pallets andglove forms thereon is adapted to be raised and lowered whereby theglove forms are dipped into the respective tanks A through E. A motor160 FIG. 4) mounted on suitable cross beams above tank C has its outputconnected via shafts 161 and 162 to right angle drive units 163 and 164which in 'turn are connected respectively to rods 165, which in turn.are connected to right angle drive units 166 for driving fourdownwardly extending threaded shafts 167. The respective tracks 36A (oneon each side of the apparatus and only one side shown in FIG. 3) areportion 36F adjacent to sectioned track 36A. Track section 36F issimilar to track section 121 of that shown in FIGS. 5 and ,6 inthattrack section 36F has connected thereto a motor similar to motor 111which will raise and lower the track section 36F and in addition theretohas its track section 36F connected to a pair of right angle drives as119 in FIG. 6 so that track section 36F can be rotated in arcs ofrevolutions for drying the glove forms mounted on pallets that aresecured to such track sections. The pallets secured to track section 36Fcan thus be lowered, to dip the glove forms into the lubrication tank Flocated immediately'below and thence beraised to remove the glove formsfrom tank F. Thereafter the pallets .and track section 36F is that theglove forms have the fingers pointing upwardly to dry the lubricantthereon and to assure an even distribution of the lubricant withoutpermitting the collection of an excess amount of lubricant on the fingertips. With the glove forms resting in the fingers up position,

the glove forms are conditioned for movementinto the v drying operation.The raising and lowering of the glove forms and pallet is similar tothat shown in U.S. Pat.

' rotated through a complete revolution and a half, such No. 3,320,638,the structure of which is incorporated for a period of time depending onthe thickness of the layer desired. The coagulating action of thecalcium chloride on the latex solution causes a smooth thin layer ofcoagulated rubber to be deposited on the surface of the form. The latexdipped glove forms are then dipped into tank I which contains carbondioxide gas, which accelerates the coagulation of the latex on the gloveform.

The section of the track 36 above tanks G, H and I are sectioned andindicated as 36G, 36H and 361 respectively. Each of these movablesections 36G, 36H and 36l are similar to the track section 36F andsimilar to elevator wherein each track section is suitably supported bybrackets such as brackets 122 which are movable upwardly and downwardlyas by motor 111 as well as rotated as by motor 115 so that palletslocated thereon dip the glove forms thereon into tanks G, H and Irespectively and are then raised to clear the tanks and thence arerevolved so that the pallets are moved through selected revolutions toassure an even distribution of the solutions as well as to facilitatethe drying of such solutions on the glove forms and thereafter aligntrack sections 36G, 36H and 36I with the tracks 36.

The structure for raising and lowering such sectioned tracks is similarto that shown by U.S. Pat. No.. 3,320,638 which structure isincorporated herein by reference. Suitable lock means identical to thatshown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are provided for track sections 36G, 361-1and 361 to insure that the pallets 10 associated with each section oftrack and its pallets are manipulated as a unit. The individual tracksections 36G, 36H, and 36I are individually manipulated so that each maybe revolved in their own individual cycle.

The pallets on leaving the track section 36E are moved'into a washerunit via tracks 37 in cooperation with an endless conveyor 186. Washerunit 185 has suitable spraying heads therein supplied by water from -asuitable pressure source for directing a spray onto the glove forms fora leaching operation. After the washing is completed the glove forms aremoved closely ad jacent the end of track section 37 (FIG. 5). This isaccomplished by conveyor 186 leaving the pallet designated 10' in FIG. 5such that a carriage 190 is adapted to transfer such pallet 10 into theposition shown by palletlO". Carriage 190 is secured to a pair of spacedracks 191 which racks are in meshing engagement with spur gears 192adapted to be driven by suitable means not shown. Only one side of thecarriage will be described. Carriage 190 has a pneumatic cylinder 193which is adapted to raise and lower a U- shaped cam member 194. Cammember .194 is adapted to engage one of the axles 15 of the palletlocated thereabove upon pressurization of the head end of cylinder 193.Once cam member 194 engages axle 15, such carriage 190 can transfer apallet to and from the elevator as by rotation of the gear 192. Afterthe transferring of a pallet is accomplished, it is secured to theelevator 100 by the locking means described above and as shown in FIGS.16, 17-and 18.

Located immediately below elevator 100 is a dip tank I which contains alubricant fluid which deposits a thin Iayerof lubricant on the gloveforms in a manner to bedescribed. It is to be noted that carriage 190contains separate racks 191 on each side thereof to facilitate a smoothtransfer of the pallet.

1. An apparatus for forming articles comprising a plurality of articleforms, a plurality of adjacent stations disposed in a closed path atleast one of which stations is provided with an open top tank containingan elastomer in liquid state in which the forms are verticallyreceivable; means to support a plurality of the forms for movement inaligned groups; means to move said groups of forms in alignmentsequentially from one station to another in said closed path; means atthe said one of said stations to sequentially move at least one group offorms vertically downwardly from alignment with the remainder of saidgroups of forms and back to alignment with the said remainder of thesaid groups of forms to thereby dip the forms of said one group into theliquid contained in the said tank; means to rotate said dipped forms ina group alternately in reverse directions in an arcuate path afterwithdrawal from the liquid; means to subject said dipped forms to anelevated temperature while transporting said forms in a direction atright angles to the direction of movement during dipping, whereby theelastomer on each of said forms is solidified into an article having theshape of the form; and means to effect relative arcuate movement betweenthe forms in a group thereof to facilitate removal of the articlestherefrom.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the said meansto support a plurality of glove forms in a group comprises a separatepallet for each group with each pallet including a plurality of parallelform supports; means hinging said supports for relative arcuatemovement; and rollers on said pallets supporting the latter fortranslational movement.
 3. The combination as defined in claim 2 whereinsaid means to move said groups of forms includes a horizontallyreciprocating member mounted for movement above said forms; and means onsaid reciprocating member engageable with said pallets to move thelatter when said member moves in one direction.
 4. The combination asdefined as claim 3 wherein the said member is mounted for verticalmovement to and from pallet moving position; and the said means on saidmember comprises a plurality of horizontally spaced rigid arms extendingvertically downward from said member and engageable with said palletswhen said member is in pallet moving position.
 5. An apparatus definedin claim 2 comprising a plurality of guide means for said rollers spacedin the direction of travel of said pallets; transfer means cooperativewith said guide means to move the pallets between the guide means in thesaid closed path for said pallets; locking means mounted on said guidemeans operative to secure said pallets in fixed positions on said guidemeans; and moving means operative upon actuation to release said palletsfrom said locking means and move said pallets on said guide means.
 6. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said moving means includesindex means; said index means including elongated rail meanS mounted formovement between a first position and a second position; said rail meansin said first position being out of contact with said locking means;pallet engaging means on said rail means; said rail means in said secondposition operative to actuate said locking means to pallet releasingposition and dispose said pallet engaging means in contact with thelatter.
 7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said lockingmeans includes a lever pivotally mounted between its ends with one outerend portion in alignment with said rail means and the other outer endportion of said lever being selectively operable to engage said palletfor securing said pallet in locked position on said guide means.
 8. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the mounting for said railmeans includes a plurality of interconnected pivot means supporting saidrail means at a plurality of spaced locations; said pivot meansincluding means journaling said rail for reciprocal movement in adirection parallel to said guide means; first drive means connected tosaid pivot means for moving said pivot means between a first and asecond position; and second drive means connected to said rail means forreciprocating said rail and said pallets in contact with saidpallet-engaging means.
 9. An apparatus for forming articles by dipcoating a plurality of forms comprising, a support frame, guide meansmounted on said support frame, a plurality of open top liquid containingtanks beneath said guide means, a plurality of pallets supported on saidguide means for movement thereon, each of said pallets having aplurality of article forms thereon, locking means on said guide meansnormally operative to secure said pallets in selected fixed positions onsaid guide means, portions of said guide means over said tanks beingsectioned and movably supported to permit movement of said portionsrelative to said frame, each of said movable portions having at leastone of said locking means, first drive means connected to one of saidmovable portions for reciprocating the latter and pallets locked thereonbetween an upper position and a lower position to effect the dipping ofsaid forms into and removal out of tanks, said one portion in said upperposition being in alignment with the remainder of said guide means toreceive pallets therefrom and transfer pallets thereto, other drivemeans connected to certain other portions of said guide means forreciprocating said other portions between an upper position and a lowerposition, at least one of said other portions of the guide means beingsupported for rotation thereof and of said pallets secured thereto abouta central axis to thereby effect an even distribution of liquid materialon said forms, and index means operative to release said pallets fromsaid locking means and thereafter move all of said pallets on said guidemeans.
 10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said guide meanscomprise spaced parallel guide rail means, each of said pallets hasaxles supporting guide wheels for rotation within said guide rail means,and said locking means comprises lever means normally biased intolocking engagement with said pallets.
 11. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 10 wherein said index means comprises an elongated rail means, aplurality of pivoted rods supported by said support frame and pivotallysupporting said rail means for movement relative to and parallel to saidguide rail means, drive means interconnected to said pivoted rods toprovide simultaneous movement of said rods to lower and raise said railmeans toward and away from said guide rail means, a plurality ofdownwardly extending brackets secured to said rail means andlongitudinally spaced thereon, each of said brackets having a U-shapedrecess on its lower end portion for receiving one of said axles of saidpallets upon movement of said rail means toward said guide rail means.12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said locking meanscomprises a plurality of L-shaped lever means, each of said L-shapedlever means having a pair of leg members, one leg member of said levermeans having a recess on the end thereof for normally receiving one ofsaid axles of said pallets to prevent movement thereof, the other legmember of said lever means extending upwardly in alignment with saidrail means for engagement thereby when said rail means is moved towardsaid guide rail means to pivot said one leg member away from axles ofsaid pallets to permit linear movement of said pallets.
 13. An apparatusas set forth in claim 12 wherein motive means are operatively connectedto said rail means for selectively reciprocating said rail means in adirection parallel to said guide rail means to advance said palletslinearly simultaneously on said guide rail means.
 14. An apparatus forautomatic manufacture of gloves from latex comprising: a plurality ofglove forms; means to clean said forms comprising a plurality of tankscontaining cleaning liquid and means to dip said forms sequentially ineach of said tanks when the forms are in alignment therewith; means toapply a lubricant slurry to said forms; means to dry said lubricantslurry on said forms; means to dip said lubricant covered forms fingersfirst a predetermined depth into a liquid coagulant medium of latex;means to dip said coagulant coated forms fingers first into a body oflatex, withdraw said forms from the latex and rock them in an arcuatepath; means to subject said latex dipped forms to an atmosphere ofcarbon dioxide; means to thereafter subject said latex coated forms to aliquid spray; means to dip said sprayed latex coated forms in alubricant slurry; means to subject said lubricant dipped latex coatedforms to a drying and curing temperature; a glove stripping stationspaced from said drying and curing means, and conveyor means to movesaid forms sequentially to each of said dipping, drying, and curingmeans in the order named, thereafter to the said glove stripping stationand thence back to the first-named means in a closed cycle.
 15. Anapparatus for dip coating a plurality of forms to form articles thereon,comprising: support means; guide means mounted on said support means;said guide means having upper, lower and bridging sections; said uppersection having a receiving end; said lower section having a dischargeend; a first transfer means operative between said discharge end andsaid receiving end to define a closed continuous flow path with saidguide means; said lower portion having forwardly and rearwardly disposedcontinuous linear tracks; said upper portion having forwardly andrearwardly disposed continuous tracks; said bridging section joiningsaid forwardly disposed tracks of said upper portion with said forwardlydisposed tracks of said lower portion; a plurality of pallets mounted onsaid guide means for movement thereon; each of said pallets beingarticulated; each of said pallets having a plurality of mandrelsthereon; first conveyor means having a conveying run operative over thefull length of said rearwardly disposed track of said lower portion;second conveying means having a conveying run operative over the fulllength of said rearwardly disposed track of said upper run; thirdconveyor means having a conveying means operative over the full lengthof said bridge portions and over a portion of the forwardly disposedtracks of said upper portion of said guide means; second transfer meanscooperative with said guide means and operative to transfer pallets fromsaid second conveyor means to said third conveyor means; index meansoperative over the full length of said forwardly disposed tracks of saidlower portion of said guide means to transfer pallets from said bridgingportion of said guide means and forwardly along said forwardly disposedtracks of said lower portion of said guide means and onto said firstconveyor means; and said bridging portion having a curvilinear portionthat is operative to open up said articulated pallet to accentuate thedistanCe between the outermost end portions of said mandrels locatedthereon.
 16. An apparatus for dip coating a plurality of glove mandrelsas set forth in claim 15 wherein locking means are mounted on said guidemeans; said locking means being normally operative to secure saidpallets in fixed positions on said guide means; said forwardly disposedtracks are sectioned to permit relative movement of the tracks relativeto the support; first drive means connected to certain ones of saidsectioned tracks for reciprocating said one sectioned tracks and thepallets thereon for movement between an upper position and a lowerposition; cleaning tanks positioned below and in alignment with saidcertain ones of said sectioned tracks to clean the mandrels located onsaid pallets secured thereto; motive means connected to another one ofsaid sectioned tracks for reciprocating said other sectioned track andthe pallets thereon between an upper position and a lower position andto rotate said other sectioned track about an axis that is normal tosaid tracks; a lubrication tank located below and in alignment with saidother sectioned track to provide lubrication onto said glove mandrel assaid other sectioned track and said pallet thereon moves into said lowerposition; a washing station encompassing said rearwardly disposed tracksof said lower portion of said guide means; a drying oven encompassingthe intermediate portion of said forwardly disposed tracks of said lowerguide means; a latex dip tank and a coagulant dip tank located beneathsaid guide means and between said washing station and said drying oven;said lower portion of said guide means having a pair of sectioned trackslocated above said latex dip tank and said coagulant tank respectively;power operated means connected to said pair of sectioned tracks forreciprocating said tracks and pallets located thereon into and out ofsaid dip tank and said coagulant tank and for rotating said pair ofsectioned tracks with said pallets thereon through arcs of revolution;and a heating oven encompassing said rearwardly disposed tracks to curegloves on said mandrels on said pallets passing therethrough.
 17. Anapparatus for dip coating a plurality of mandrels to form articlesthereon as set forth in claim 16 wherein a lubrication tank is locatedbeneath said first transfer means, said first transfer having a carriagethat is operative to rotate and reciprocate a pallet held thereby to dipmandrels thereon into and out of said last-mentioned lubrication tank.18. An apparatus for dip coating a plurality of mandrels to formarticles thereon as set forth in claim 17 wherein a carbon dioxide tankis located between said latex dip tank and said washing station, andsaid guide means above said carbon dioxide tank being sectioned forvertical reciprocal movement; means connected to said last-mentionedsectioned guide means above said carbon dioxide tank for reciprocatingand rotating said last-mentioned sectioned guide means and pallets withmandrels thereon into and out of a carbon dioxide tank for conditioningthe delivery of said last-mentioned pallets to said washing station. 19.An apparatus for dip coating a plurality of forms as set forth in claim15 wherein each of said pallets has a plurality of elongated members,pivot means connecting adjacent members together to provide articulationbetween said members, each of said members having a strap mountedthereon, spring biased cam means on each member for releasably securingsaid straps to said members, and each strap having a plurality of formssecured thereto.
 20. An apparatus for dip coating as set forth in claim19 wherein each of said elongated members has side brackets, said pivotmeans includes axles pivotally joining adjacent ones of said brackets,rollers mounted on said axles for guiding said pallet along guideways tofacilitate movement thereon and articulation thereof to facilitate thestripping of articles from said forms.
 21. An apparatus for dip coatingas set forth in claim 19 wherein each of said members has stop meansthereon midway between the respective ends thereof for locating saidstraps thereon, and said stop means includes a spring clip operative tosecure said straps on said members.